As Avery read the article, her face grew solemn. It was reported that Lucy had been in a horrible car accident five years ago that left her paralyzed. However, the news had been suppressed by Alexander. Five years later, Lucy’s condition had deteriorated drastically, bringing her to the brink of death. Alexander reached out to the renowned Dr. Annie for his sister’s treatnt. At the sa ti, Alexander secretly arranged for his rumored new girlfriend to et Lucy, indicating that his sister’s condition was dire.
Although the news was fabricated, the details about Lucy’s critical condition and Dr. Annie’s involvent were true, and both pieces of information were confidential.
’Who could have leaked this information?’ Avery wondered, furrowing her brow.
Dr. Annie’s research team consisted entirely of individuals she had personally trained and selected, and she had absolute trust in them. As for Alexander, he had managed to keep his sister’s condition a secret for five years, which showed that those around him were trustworthy. Regardless, the leak of such information during Lucy’s critical state was to her detrint and showed malicious intent.
While Avery was deep in thought, the headlines of related news stories kept popping up, making her head spin:
"The Moran family receives news of Lucy’s critical condition, demanding Alexander to return to Valemont for questioning."
"Alexander Moran out of reach: Both his and his secretary’s phones are turned off."
"Alexander’s assistant claims the reports on Lucy Moran are false; Alexander is en route to visit his sister."
"Alexander’s legal team sends out hundreds of cease-and-desist letters, demanding imdiate removal of false reports about Miss Moran; Alexander reserves the right to sue."
The news kept pouring in, dominating headlines across major websites and social dia, sparking a frenzy among netizens. Strangely, these reports were constantly being deleted or suppressed, only to resurface and gain even more traction. It was clear that two opposing forces were at work—one trying to suppress the news while the other was trying to amplify it.
Avery pondered for a mont, then stood up and walked to the backyard to call Louis. However, before she could make the call, Freya reached her first.
"Louis called to inform that there are many false reports about the patient online. The Moran family strongly demands that Miss Moran make a public clarification, putting pressure on Mr. Moran," Freya reported. "He asked if Dr. Annie could perform surgery on the patient as soon as possible."
"Based on your assessnt, is the patient fit for surgery in the next couple of days?" Avery asked.
Freya replied, "As you requested, the research departnt has adjusted the ratios of various microelents and has successfully developed a strong magnetic liquid that can be integrated into the skull. It has undergone its first trial. The result was a success, but whether it can be imdiately applied to the patient is uncertain."
"I’ll set off tonight to see the patient. Make sure the team is ready and gather all the necessary dical equipnt and supplies," Avery instructed decisively. She had initially planned to be fully prepared before proceeding with the surgery, but the situation had escalated unexpectedly, forcing her to act earlier.
"Alright, I’ll make the arrangents right away," Freya responded promptly.
"Did Louis ntion how Mr. Moran intends to handle the leak of the patient’s condition?" Avery asked further.
If Alexander couldn’t take action in ti, Dark Matter would need to step in and disrupt the network again.
"Louis said that Mr. Moran is investigating the matter and will ensure that those spreading rumors face consequences. You don’t need to worry," Freya said reassuringly. "Louis also ntioned that with the situation escalating, only Miss Moran’s appearance can calm the storm. Mr. Moran will try to stall until Miss Moran regains consciousness."
Avery understood the gravity of the situation. "Get everyone ready for the surgery."
After hanging up, Avery walked back to the house. Her family was already seated in the dining room.
They called out, "Avery, co over and have breakfast."
Avery sat down, and her eyes lit up with delight at the food. The spread included avocado toast, empanadas, oatal, pasta, freshly squeezed orange juice, and milk.
Maria skillfully served breakfast to everyone. "Josie, here’s your favorite spaghetti carbonara with a sunny-side-up egg. Avery, avocado toast and orange juice for you. Arthur, your empanadas and milk. Dad, here’s your pesto pasta. And finally, oatal with cinnamon and apple for Mom and ."
Maria took pleasure in making breakfast for her family. Each ti she watched them finish every bite, a satisfied smile spread across her face.
"Thank you," Avery said without fuss, then she took a bite of the toast and sipped her orange juice, savoring the comforting flavors.
As they enjoyed their al, they talked and laughed about their first night in the villa.
Maria said shyly, "I opened my eyes several tis and sat on the bed, looking outside. I couldn’t help but think it was all just a dream. Strangely, even though I didn’t sleep well, I don’t feel tired and am now full of energy."
"I sneaked out of the room around three in the morning and walked around the villa, worried that if I fell asleep, it would disappear," Arthur said with a cheeky smirk. Everyone burst into laughter.
Wesley chuckled. "Your mother and I lay in bed, reminiscing about our college days, and ended up chatting all night. It felt as if we were back in our youth."
The older children thought to themselves, ’They finally have their own spacious room, and they spent the entire night just talking. What a waste!’
All eyes turned to Avery, who had yet to share how she felt about the first night.
"I read until late into the night and fell asleep when I was tired," Avery said plainly.
"As expected from a straight-A student, you can still manage to study on the first night in the villa," Arthur remarked, genuinely impressed.
Avery’s lips curled into a faint smile. Reflecting on how the Murphy family had treated her, and the internal strife within the Moran family, she found herself increasingly enjoying these lively family als.
anwhile, as Avery relished this mont of family warmth, Alexander was engaged in a violent confrontation with his half-brother, beating him brutally.
Alexander wore a gentleman’s hat and an exquisitely tailored black suit with a perfectly knotted purple tie. Under the bright lamp, his handso face was illuminated, casting a chilling edge over his chiseled features. Yet, this man, who seed so distinguished and refined, had eyes devoid of warmth. The cold, nacing presence he exuded was so overwhelming that it seed a bloodbath was inevitable to appease his wrath.
He towered over the young man on the ground, repeatedly lifting his foot and kicking him from head to toe, as if determined to beat him to death. Stripped down to his underwear, the young man curled up defensively, wrapping his arms around his head and screaming in pain with each kick. He could neither escape nor move, and resistance was futile.
"Ugh, Alexander, what are you doing?" he finally cried out, tears and snot streaming down his face. "I’m your brother and also a director and executive of the Moran Group. Are you trying to kill ? If I go missing, Dad and my n will definitely look for . If they can’t reach , they will report it to the police—"
Alexander delivered a savage kick to the young man’s knee and squatted down. Brandishing a small knife, he lightly tapped it against the young man’s arm, which was shielding his head.
"Archie, there will be consequences for going after my sister. How much pain you feel depends on how much you reveal."
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